CBT for Bereavement

Bereavement and CBT

All kinds of loss are extremely common as people get older, with the loss of a spouse being the largest category in bereavement.

The most painful bereavement someone can experience is the loss of a child. The loss of a partner can be more difficult to recover from in a younger person.

The grief from the loss of a loved one most people eventually recover from but protracted grief over a period of years can be complicated by clinical depression and benefits from CBT therapeutic treatment.

In some clients it is the failure to grieve which is at the root of their low mood, and going through the stages of grieving can be of great help in coming to terms with their loss.

CBT and Bereavement

CBT works effectively with difficult grief reactions by taking clients through the stages inherent in the grieving process, and uses both cognitive (thinking) and behavioural techniques (doing) to cope more effectively with both the clinical symptoms of depression/anxiety as well as acting as an aid in the healing process.

CBT for Bereavement

In the first session clients are given psychological tests to measure the symptoms of anxiety, depression, attitudes, and core beliefs as well as a semi-structured interview to gain an understanding of the clients history and presenting problems.

A problem list is collaboratively drawn up to target those areas the client wants to change as a result of the therapy. An individualised programme is collaboratively drawn up with the client and forms the blueprint for the CBT counselling.

The conceptual framework of the therapist goes through six stages:-

Coming to terms with reality of the loss.

Working with the emotional pain, anger, guilt and suffering attributed to the loss.

A readjustment of life without the significant person, in the present tense.

Taking the emotional investment that the client had placed in their significant ‘other’ and rebuilding connections and relationship with others.

Building ‘living memories’ which recognise the quality, importance and irreplaceable impact of the person in their loss, and building awareness of the impact and meaning this has for the person now.

Spiritual Implications

Virtual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Convenient, private and secure

Online Therapy is available to anyone, anywhere in the world at home or in the office using a tablet, mobile phone or laptop / computer and a good internet connection.

This service would appeal to client's for a variety of reasons.

Clients location would make it difficult / impossible to access Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy.

Clients time-pressure, work deadlines, and work-based travel make it difficult to commit for the normal counselling time-scale.

Clients family commitments make it easier to have treatment on-line at home.

Clients prefer an initial face to face assessment, and then combine both treatment modalities.